Chapter 117 Love

Chapter 117 Love

​Click.
​The bedroom door opened slowly. Melynda stepped inside carrying a silver tray with a bowl of warm corn soup and a small plate of assorted nuts. A thin trail of steam rose from the bowl, spreading a savory aroma throughout the room.
​"Xavier, get out now," Melynda said without preamble.
​Xavier, who was still sitting on the edge of the bed gripping Agatha’s hand, looked up quickly. "I am not going anywhere, Mother. I have to look after her."
​"Look at yourself. Your clothes are covered in garden dust and messy stains. You smell like sweat. Do you want to make your wife and children sick with the germs you are carrying?" Melynda placed the tray on the nightstand with a soft clink.
​"I can change my clothes here later. I just want to make sure Agatha is actually sleeping," Xavier argued.
​Melynda placed her hands on her hips. She gave her son a look that brooked no argument. "Take a shower now. Change into clean clothes. I will take care of Agatha. Do you think I am incapable of looking after my own daughter in law?"
​"It is not that, Mom. It is just..."
​"No buts. Out, Xavier. Right now," Melynda cut him off firmly.
​Xavier looked at Agatha with hesitation. Agatha gave her husband’s hand a gentle squeeze. "Go on, Xavier. Mother is right. You need to clean up so you can feel more at ease. I am safe with her."
​Xavier let out a long breath. His shoulders slumped in defeat. He stood up slowly, kissed Agatha’s forehead one more time, and then glanced at his mother with a sulky expression. "Do not let her move around too much, Mom."
​"I know what I am doing. Now go!" Melynda shooed him away with a wave of her hand.
​Xavier walked out of the room with heavy steps. Once the door was shut tight, Melynda turned to look at Agatha. Her rigid smile from earlier softened.
​"That boy is incredibly stubborn when it comes to you," Melynda murmured.
​"He is just overprotective, Mom," Agatha replied softly.
​Melynda approached the bed. She helped Agatha sit up against a pile of pillows. "Come, let us get you cleaned up. Pierre said you are not to get out of bed, so I will sponge you down with warm water."
​"I can do it myself, Mom. This is such a burden for you," Agatha said, feeling uneasy.
​"Be quiet, Agatha. Consider this a reward for protecting yourself earlier," Melynda said as she walked toward the bathroom.
​The sound of running water echoed from inside. Splash. Splash. A moment later, Melynda returned with a small basin of warm water and a clean washcloth. She began to wipe Agatha’s face with very careful movements.
​"Mmh," Agatha closed her eyes as the warm cloth touched her skin, which felt stiff from cold sweat.
​Melynda worked diligently. She wiped Agatha’s neck, arms, and palms. Afterward, she helped Agatha change into a silk gown that was loose and comfortable. Everything was done with extraordinary tenderness.
​"Now, it is time to eat," Melynda said after clearing away Agatha’s soiled clothes.
​She took the bowl of corn soup and stirred it slowly. Melynda took a full spoonful, blew on it for a second, and held it out to Agatha’s lips.
​"Open your mouth, child," Melynda said.
​Agatha froze for a moment. She stared at the spoon in front of her face, then looked into Melynda’s eyes. No one had ever fed her like this, from her childhood until she was an adult. She opened her mouth and swallowed the soup. A warmth spread down her throat.
​"How is it? Is the taste right?" Melynda asked.
​"It is very good, Mom. Thank you," Agatha whispered.
​Melynda scooped another spoonful of soup. "Eat a lot. Those three babies need plenty of energy to grow in there. You also need your strength after that great display of yours earlier."
​Agatha chewed slowly. The room felt incredibly peaceful. The only sound was the clinking of the spoon against the ceramic bowl. By the fifth spoonful, Agatha suddenly felt a tightness in her chest. It was not physical pain, but a strange, overwhelming emotion.
​Drip.
​A single tear fell onto Agatha’s blanket. She immediately lowered her head, trying to hide her face.
​"Agatha? What is it? Is your stomach hurting again?" Melynda asked frantically. She set the bowl down at once.
​Agatha shook her head quickly. She covered her face with both palms. Her sobs began to break through. "Hiks. I am sorry, Mom. I am so sorry."
​"Why are you apologizing? Tell me what you are feeling," Melynda said, rubbing Agatha’s shoulder gently.
​"I... I have just never felt this before," Agatha said between her tears. "I grew up in an orphanage, and as an adult, I became a feared assassin. Even now that I have found my biological family, my mother is already gone. I did not know it could feel this warm to be cared for like this."
​Melynda went silent. She pulled Agatha into her arms. She let Agatha’s head rest against her chest. She stroked Agatha’s hair with a constant, soothing motion.
​"Oh, child. I am sorry it took me this long to do this," Melynda whispered. "You are not just my daughter in law. You are my daughter. From now on, you do not have to feel alone anymore. I am here."
​Agatha cried even harder in Melynda’s embrace. She released all the thirst for affection she had suppressed for years behind a mask of independence. Melynda continued to whisper comforting words until Agatha’s breathing stabilized.
​"There now, stop crying. Your eyes will be swollen and Xavier will be furious with me, thinking I hurt you," Melynda chuckled softly while wiping away the remaining tears on Agatha’s cheeks.
​Agatha gave a thin smile. "Thank you, Mother."
​"Come, finish your soup. You need to sleep after this," Melynda continued her task of feeding Agatha until the bowl was empty.
​Click.
​The bedroom door opened again. Xavier entered with his hair still damp. He wore a plain black t-shirt and casual trousers. The fresh scent of masculine soap immediately filled the room. He noticed the red stains around Agatha’s eyes and grew worried instantly.
​"Mother, what happened? Why are her eyes red?" Xavier asked, stepping quickly toward the bed.
​Melynda stood and cleared the tray. "Just women's business, Xavier. Do not ask too many questions. She is full and she is clean. Now it is your turn to look after her properly."
​Melynda walked toward the door. Before leaving, she turned back to the couple and smiled. "Goodnight, children."
​"Goodnight, Mom," they answered together.
​Once Melynda was gone, Xavier immediately climbed onto the bed. He sat beside Agatha and pulled her into his embrace. He showered her forehead, temples, and cheeks with a barrage of soft kisses.
​"I was so scared earlier, Sweetheart. Truly terrified," Xavier whispered into Agatha’s ear.
​"I know. I was too," Agatha replied. She leaned her weight fully against her husband's broad chest.
​Xavier stroked Agatha’s belly, which protruded beneath the silk nightgown. He felt small kicks from within. "You three have to be strong, okay? Do not give your father a heart attack again."
​Agatha held Xavier’s hand as it rested on her stomach. "They are strong children, Xavier. They just helped me defeat those bad men."
​Xavier went quiet for a moment. He looked at Agatha’s face with a gaze full of adoration. He could not seem to stop admiring his wife’s courage. He pulled her even closer, as if the world outside no longer existed.
​"I will do whatever it takes to ensure this never happens again," Xavier said, his voice suddenly dropping to a very low and dangerous pitch.
​Agatha looked into Xavier’s eyes. She saw the flash of lingering anger there, though it was veiled by the overflowing love he had for her.